Injury Makes Herrmann’s Value Painfully Apparent
Quarterback Mark Herrmann, who has quietly and faithfully bridged the gap between Jim Everett and cataclysm, has stepped from the shadows and into the headlines.
It took a safety blitz by Tim McDonald and a broken rib to do it. News of the injury hit the Rams like a canceled insurance policy, which is exactly what Herrmann represents in his present condition. If Everett goes down now, rookie Jeff Carlson gets the keys to the Ram offense.
For this, the veteran Herrmann is more appreciated today then ever. He threw but five passes in 1988 but is entrenched in the system and remains the man who would be Everett should the unthinkable happen.
On Tuesday, the Rams breathed more easily than Herrmann could after learning that he should be back for the season opener Sept. 10 against Atlanta.
Back for what? The sidelines, of course. Every team needs its security blanket.
Coach John Robinson said he planned no drastic measures to replace his valuable reserve, lest that be seen as undermining Herrmann’s position, which is secure.
“I think we’re always looking for what you’d call an emergency quarterback,” Robinson said. “Now let’s say, for example, Mark were down now and out eight weeks--we would definitely be looking for somebody. The fact that his return is going to come pretty close to the beginning of season makes this less critical.”
So Robinson has ruled out for now any big plunges for backup quarterbacks, even with such names as Steve Pelleur lurking about.
“My tendency would be to say no,” Robinson said of Pelleur. “Our backup quarterback is Mark Herrmann, and we really like him. He’s going to be our backup quarterback. Now Mark’s got a little pain in his ribs, and we have to have a short-term solution.”
That could mean bringing in an interim man, preferably nondescript, in the next two weeks, or doing nothing at all and trying to get by with Everett and Carlson.
The Rams will evaluate Herrmann this week, which could confirm or change their thinking.
“Saturday or Monday we’ll ask him to take a deep breath and see if he can breath,” Robinson said.
With the season opener less than three weeks away, the Rams are forced to consider a starting backfield of fullback Buford McGee and either Gaston Green or Robert Delpino at tailback. Delpino, a fifth-round pick in ‘88, is just learning the position while the speedy Green remains largely unproven.
Is this any way to start a season?
“I think we could be effective doing it, “ Robinson said. “I don’t know if I’d be satisfied. We want Greg Bell here, we want Cleveland Gary here, we’re hopeful that will happen. But could we open the season with these guys? Yes, I think we could. Ultimately, there comes a point in these holdouts that you’ve got to say, ‘Hey, we’re going to go on.’ ”
Ram Notes
Flipper Anderson leads Ram receivers with 10 catches for 229 yards and had the game-winner against Phoenix. With Aaron Cox out with a hamstring injury, Anderson has made a serious run at the No. 2 receiving spot behind Henry Ellard. “Damn right he’s made up some ground,” Coach John Robinson said. “Flipper was a guy who would go out for long ones. Now he’s becoming an all-around receiver.”
Safety Vince Newsome is showing no affects of the neck injury that forced him to miss most of the 1988 season. Newsome made some shattering hits against the Cardinals and was proclaimed the game’s most valuable player by Robinson. . . . How hard were the Rams hitting? Phoenix receiver Roy Green passed Robinson on the sidelines and said: “Coach, tell them it’s preseason.”
The Rams get two starters back on offense this week as guard Tom Newberry and receiver Aaron Cox return to practice after lingering hamstring injuries. . . . Larry Kelm, the starting inside linebacker, injured a toe against Phoenix and will miss Saturday night’s 44th annual Rams-Times charity game against Minnesota.
Two years ago, Robinson tried his best to unload cornerback LeRoy Irvin. Now, Irvin’s a team captain and spiritual leader. “LeRoy Irvin’s obviously playing at a high level,” Robinson said.
